Reviews of movies, TV shows, & more

Month: April 2010

This is a 10-part miniseries on HBO produced by Tom Hanks. Unlike Band of Brothers, this series delves more into the personal lives of the Marines. This past SUN, 4/25, I watched the first 3 eps.

Part 1

Christmas 1941: The Marines say goodbye to their families and head out to Guadalcanal- a litle known place in the South Pacific. They include Sgt. John Basilone (Jon Seda), a natural leader who fought in the Phillipines. He comes from a large/warm Italian-American family. Basilone invites his good friends J.P. Morgan and Manny Rodriguez home to share Christmas dinner.

PFC Robert Leckie (John Badge Dale) prays at his local Catholic church and shares a few words w/ his pretty neighbor, Vera, who he wishes to write to while away. He’s a new Marine and aspiring writer who wanted to bring along his typewriter. Leckie and his father have a strained relationship, and share a cold goodbye at the docks.

PFC Lew “Chuckler” Juergens (John Helman) is a jokester with a lot of bravado. He regales the company with humor.

Upon reaching Guadalcanal, the men of Able Company (led by Sgt. Briggs) find it a tropical paradise. They dig trenches and set up their machine guns after the ship leaves. They are told to destroy any letters or anything containing addresses by their CO.

At Alligator Creek, they face a barrage of shots from the Japanese soldiers. One man cowers in fear, unable to speak. The Marines are surprised at first, but they quickly take action. In the morning, many Japanese lie dead on the beach or floating in the water. Juergens is promoted for his skill w/ the machine gun.

One Japanese soldier is found alive. When two Marines take hold of him, he blows them all up with a grenade. A bunch of guys start messing with another Japanese guy, wounding him in several places. Finally, Leckie kills him to put him out of his misery. Later, Leckie goes through the knapsack of the dead Japanese soldier, seeing the photo of his family and a little cloth doll. In a letter to Vera, he writes that he’s fighting an enemy that he doesn’t understand.

On the way to Tokyo, Basilone’s company marches past this group, and realizes that these men have been through some tough fighting. “They look like they’ve been through the ringer.”

Part 2

By September of 1942, the Marines have been left alone to fight the Japanese. Most of the food and supplies are gone. They must hide from the Japanese bombers and survive the jungle. “The malaria was vicious” and they went through periods of “starvation.” One vet said: “You would just pray and hold on.”

One of Basilone’s men is killed while they march through the jungle. “We’ve been swallowed by the jungle” Leckie comments as the men of Able Company eat rations from 1919 in the rain. Basilone’s guys are tired, sick, and lacking in (real) food. Tensions are high as they await the navy. But the army has landed, their battalion leader announces.

Marines take supplies from the Army’s crates, before running off into the jungle. The Army gets newer rifles, Phillips notices with bitterly. Leckie steals some moccasins and a box of cigars (for this guys). He becomes sick after eating some canned peaches. PFC Wilbur “Runner” Conley is sick with diarrhea.

At camp, Basilone’s men face fire at night from bombers. He must encourage the disheartened men, including young newbies. Several Marines lie dead in the morning; it was a direct hit. Col. Chesky says he needs Rodriguez to be a runner, and he and Basilone part ways.

Sgt. Briggs gives his men Lucky Strikes, the cigarettes that only officers get. He calls the camp and warns Col. Chesky that the enemy is headed right toward them. Amid fighting, both of Morgan’s machine guns goes out, and Basilone goes to assist him. On the way, he comes face-to-face with some Japanese soldiers. Basilone and few others have to fight close-up.

Basilone reaches Morgan’s side and quickly takes out many enemies with his machine gun. Then he jumps up and goes after remaining Japanese to “clear the field” for his friend, who looks on with shock.

In the morning, both Basilone and Morgan realize that they need new helmets. A medic notices that Basilone has 3rd degree burns. He wonders where Rodriguez is, as Morgan doesn’t know. “I puttin’ you in for a medal, John,” the Col. tells Basilone. Later, as Basilone walks through the quiet jungle, he finds the dead body of his close pal, Manny Rodriguez.

Back in Mobile, Alabama: though he still has the murmur, Eugene Sledge tells his father that he’s enlisting. His dad has heard about the cruelty of this war, and doesn’t want his son to “one day have to spark, no life, no heart.”

Leckie shares a poem he’s written about their victory at Guadalcanal. “We’re finally outta this s***hole,” another Marine says.

Basilone is noticeably upset about Manny’s death. “You know me, John, I try not to think,” Morgan tells Basilone when he ponders about possibly making a false move and ending up dead.

“Everyone knows about the Marines 1st Company. You’re on the front page of every newspaper. You’re heroes back home,” a young man serving coffee at a supply station tells a worn-out Leckie and his fellows.

Part 3

Melbourne, Australia: The Marines sail in to crowds, banners, and calls of adulation for “our Yanks.” They are bemused at first, seeing that their camp is on a cricket field. They head out to the streets, ready for some R&R, though they are technically AWOL (w/o liberty passes).

Basilone and Morgan order a variety of booze and toast to Rodriquez. When a home guard insults the Yanks, Basilone punches him. A drunken Leckie chases a beautiful/exotic brunette onto a streetcar, to the surprise of his buddies. She asks him to call on her “at home” (properly). Phillips meets a gorgeous blonde girl (and her protective grandfather). He asks permission to date her, like a polite Southern gentleman. “Hands off the merchandise,” the grandfather warns. Basilone is given “the highest honor given to a Marine.”

Leckie goes to the house of his date, Estella, who is from a warm/welcoming Greek immigrant family. Her parents are proud to have a Yank for dinner, so they don’t go out. Estella’s mama came with her family to Australia after her homeland (Smyrna) was sacked by the Turks. She got married late and only has Estella for a child. “I fled the Leckie family. I was last- last is least.” Bob tells them, commenting about his large family. They invite him to stay w/ them in their home when they hear that the Marines sleep in the stadium.

At night, Estella sneaks into the guest room. “One of my brothers was too old (for the service) and another who died as a child,” Leckie tells her when she asks about his family. His father hasn’t been “right in the head” since then. Estella also had a brother who died as a baby, but “we don’t talk about it.” Leckie helps clear the vines from their roof in the morning to repay their hospitality.

Basilone looks disappointed when Col. Chesky tells him he’s going home to sell war bonds. Leckie gives silk stockings (to Estella) and a leg of lamb for the family. They learn that a family friend/neighbor, a young man named Alexie, has been killed in the war. “He and Estella were friends ever since they were children.” Bob goes to Alexie’s wake which is attended by the Greek immigrant community in the area.

Late at night, Bob sits w/ Estella’s mom, who is upset to hear about so many dead Greek boys. She says “we need prayer” at a time like this; Bob says he prays as well. Mama says that “we like having you in the house” and “Baba always wanted a son like you.” She kisses him, and says “I pray you come back to us.” Estella watches from the kitchen, her eyes full of concern for Bob’s uncertain future.

After a long and arduous march, Bob comes back to Estella. “I’m fairly crazy about you, Robert. But I don’t want to have a baby w/ you,” she tells him w/ tears in her eyes. “You’re dumping me b/c you think I’m going to get killed!?” She says that Mama has grown too close to him, and it would be too painful if they lost him. “She’s lost so much already,” Estella concludes. Leckie leaves in anger, saying the Mama “can save her breath” on prayers for him.

Leckie takes the place of another Marine to stand guard outside the barracks. But a superior officer gets very angry when he yells at him and then pulls a handgun. Leckie is put in the brig (jail) for his insubordination.

In the morning, Leckie learns that he’s been reassigned to the battalion intelligence section. Before shipping out, young Phillips and his Australian girlfriend finally share a night together. Morgan and Basilone say goodbye as John heads back home.

Like this:

This past Saturday, I went to NYC to see my first Broadway play,the Pulitzer Prize winningFences by August Wilson. Fences is part of Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle, a collection of ten plays. Each drama explores a different decade in the 20th century, and each examines the lives and struggles of African Americans. The 13-week limited engagement of Fences is at the Cort Theater (138 W. 48th St. btwn 6th Ave & Bdwy).

Playwright August Wilson

Fences is a powerful family drama set in the late ’50s starring Denzel Washington (twice an Oscar winner) and Viola Davis (recent Oscar nominee). This is a character-driven story with one simple set (action takes place on the front porch of a humble little house). I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the 9th row (close to stage). Once I got over the “Wow, I’m seeing Denzel in person!” feeling, I really got involved in the play. The (diverse) audience enjoyed it very much, too. We laughed, we got teary-eyed, and… WE SAW DENZEL!!!

Denzel Washington (Troy)

At one point, Denzel’s character enumerated all that he had to give before exiting the stage. One elderly woman called out: “I’ll take it!” LOL! And yes, he is JUST as handsome up close as onscreen.

As expected, Denzel stopped traffic in front of the theater for some minutes while people hovered about seeking pictures or just a glimpse before the limos set off. Unfortunately, he didn’t stay for autographs, but I noticed the young actor who played his son (Chris Chalk) signing playbills.

PREMISE

At the start of the play, Troy Maxon (Denzel Washington) is a 53 yr. old former Negro League baseball player who hauls trash in the Hill District of Pittsburgh w/ his best pal Jim Bono (actor/theater educator Stephen McKinley Henderson). Troy lives in an old house w/ his 2nd wife Rose (Viola Davis) and their 17 y.o. son Cory (Chris Chalk). Though Troy is illiterate, he is a hard-worker hoping to get a promotion. Troy and Rose seem to have a solid (yet passionate) relationship after 18 yrs. together. Cory works at the A&P (grocery store), but hopes to attend college on a football scholarship.

Viola Davis (Rose)

When Lyons (Russell Hornsby), Troy’s 34 y.o. son from a previous marriage, drops by on a FRI (payday) to ask for $10, Troy is NOT too amused. He tells Lyons that he’s a married man now, and needs to take care of himself and his wife. (Lyons’ wife works as a laundress, though she has trained as a nurse.) Troy advises him to “learn a trade,” but Lyons insists that he’ll stick to music. “I’m not like the rest of you- I’m a musician,” Lyons says with bravado. Rose and Bono persuade Troy, and he grudgingly allows Rose to loan out the $10. (Rose, a practical AND caring woman, is the keeper of the family purse.) As Lyons picks up his horn to leave, the disappointment is evident on Troy’s face. “He’ll be back,” Troy concludes.

While Lyons was visiting, Troy’s younger brother Gabe (Mykelti Williamson) dropped by. Gabe, a WWII vet, has a “metal plate in his head” and is now mentally handicapped. We learn that the Maxon house was bought w/ money from Gabe’s veteran’s benefits. But Gabe recently moved out of the house to live in a boarding house. “I got two rooms!” he enthusiastically tells Rose. Gabe sells fruit in the neighborhood to earn a bit of money for his room/board.

Though Rose is patient/kind with Gabe, his presence is an irritation to Troy. “I done everything I can for the boy,” Troy exclaims w/ exasperation when Rose worries about Gabe’s health/habits. Being in the hospital wasn’t right for Gabe, Troy rationalizes, b/c “what did he go over there and get his head blown off for” (if he can’t have freedom).

Troy has been waiting for Cory to help him finish the fence around the yard. But Cory has been practicing football after school. Cory announces to his parents a recruiter is coming to see him soon, and needs his Troy’s signature to sign him up (to play for a college in North Carolina). Rose is very proud of her son, but Troy is skeptical.

Chris Chalk (Cory)

We learn that Troy has gotten a position as a driver, so he won’t be working in the back of the garbage truck w/ Bono anymore. (Driving positions usually went to white men.) When Bono points out that Troy can’t drive yet, Troy shoots back: “Everyone doesn’t gotta know my business!” He’ll learn how to drive before it’s time for him to take up the new position. Lyons comes by w/ good news- he has a steady gig at a good club. Troy’s surprised when Lyons offers to give him back the $10 he borrowed. When he invites his father to come hear him, Troy refuses by saying “I’m too old to be going to clubs.”

Cory is desperate for his father to understand; he names different athletes (including blacks and Jews) who have excelled in baseball. Troy bitterly tells Cory that he’s more stupid than he thought, and that there’s no future in sports for a black man. Troy is enraged when Cory tells him that he’s quit his job at the A&P to concentrate on football. Father and son square-off, and it looks like they will come to blows!

To learn what happens, go read (or see) the play!

THEMES

Baseball is one of the themes of the play. On stage right, a ball of rags is tied to a branch. Both Troy and Cory practice swinging at the ball at the start of the play. Later on, when the father and son argue, the bat will be turned on Troy – though Troy will ultimately win in that confrontation. At the end of Act One, he warns his son: “You swung and you missed. That’s strike one. Don’t you strike out!”

Troy was a great baseball player, at least according to his friend Bono. Although he played for the Negro Leagues, he was not allowed to on the white teams. The success of Jackie Robinson and other black players is a touchy subject for Troy. He never earned the recognition or the money which he felt he deserved – and discussion of professional sports will often send him into a tirade. Though Rose insists that “you were too old,” Troy feels it was solely racism that kept him shut-out.

During Act Two of Fences, he uses a baseball metaphor to explain why he had an affair:

I fooled them, Rose. I bunted. When I found you and Cory and a halfway decent job . . . I was safe. Couldn’t nothing touch me. I wasn’t gonna strike out no more. I wasn’t going back to the penitentiary. I wasn’t gonna lay in the streets with a bottle of wine. I was safe. I had me a family. A job. I wasn’t gonna get that last strike. I was on first looking for one of them boys to knock me in. To get me home. …then when I saw that gal . . . she firmed up my backbone. And I got to thinking that if I tried . . . I just might be able to steal second. Do you understand after eighteen years I wanted to steal second?

Father-son relationships are very crucial in Fences. On the stage, the emotionally strained relationship between Troy (who’s based on August Wilson’s stepdad) and Cory is highlighted. At one point, Corey asks “Why don’t you like me?” Troy is amused by this question, and retorts w/ “I don’t have to like you!” Troy goes on to say that he gives his son food, a roof over his head, and provides for his life. But Cory wants more from his father, but Troy is incapable of expressing that.

But the unseen relationship of the play is the one between Troy and his father, who was a sharecropper in early 20th century Alabama. Troy reveals secrets from his youth to Bono and Lyons in one (quietly powerful) scene. After noting some of his father’s brutish behavior, Troy (who fled from home at 14) flatly calls him “The Devil.” (Denzel really shines in this scene!)

Freedom is another theme in Fences. Several times Troy exclaims that he “needs to be free.” But from what? To the audience, he seems to have a lot going for him (at the opening of the play). He has a supportive wife, talented sons, and a loyal best friend. He’s struggling to make ends meet, but he’s NOT alone. Everyone in the community is (of course) dealing w/ ingrained racism.

As Troy’s character is revealed, we realize that he can NEVER be free of the one man he hates- his father. Though Troy says he doesn’t behave like his old man, Troy is very hard on Cory. When Cory gets angry and obstinate, Rose says w/ frustration: “You’re just like him!” Perhaps we can never be free of our past, parents, and mistakes- they make up our character.

THE ACTING

With such a stellar cast, the acting could NOT be anything but top-notch! Denzel hit JUST the right notes w/ his role; he made Troy a believable (yet flawed) character. With this type of character, some actors could go over-the-top, but Denzel keeps it grounded. Troy is a complicated man, though HE would never admit to that. He is charming, funny, sarcastic, hard-headed, etc. just like all of us. But he DOES NOT analyze his actions; that’s just NOT his way.

Viola Davis’ role grows as the play goes on. She does a terrific job in portraying Rose, a woman of great character and integrity. We sense that Rose could’ve done much better for herself, given her sensibility and sensitivity, but she stuck with Troy out of love/passion/loyalty. She invested a lot in their relationship, and is DEEPLY hurt when it breaks. But, above all, Rose is a survivor, and Viola Davis suits this role to a tee. There is no sense of acting.

Like this:

Thank goodness that my Idol faves: Lee, Casey, & Crystal are safe for another week! I was a BIT worried for Casey tonight. Andrew & Katie are out, but that’s NOT a big shock. Andrew didn’t do well for the past 3 wks. and Katie didn’t define herself as an artist (though she performed country, pop, & R&B). I’m glad that Big Mike is safe, b/c I see now that he’s got a LOT of potential. He’s just a natural performer, and you CAN’T teach that! Speaking of natural performers…

It was GREAT to see Adam on the Idol stage once more this week. Adam is just a combo of confidence, quirkiness, natural singing ability, intelligence and (surprisingly) humbleness. He is thankful for his Idol experience. All the best to ya, Adam!

Like this:

If you’re NOT watching American Idol, you need to start! (Even my mom started watching- 1st time!) Last year was TERRIFIC on Idol (Adam’s showmanship/confidence/talent, Matt’s piano skills, Danny & Anoop’s soulfulness & personalities, etc.) And young Allison did well, too.

Who’s ready to be a star?

Even though Adam didn’t win last season, he’s appearing everywhere and wow-ing people w/ his voice & entertaining performances. (Yes, he is causing controversy, BUT so did Elvis & Madonna.) I noted before that my dad said Adam “is like Elvis.” What a compliment!

Simon thinks this year the winner “could be a girl.” Hmmm… maybe it could be Crystal. She is very grounded, mature, and knows what she’s good at singing. I also like Casey (great guitar skills/good sound/confidence) & Lee (unique voice). Casey’s voice can go country, pop, or rock. He seems amenable to different styles. Lee is just a great find! When I listened to Lee’s studio sessions, I thought that this guy could be on the radio today (just as Kara said). I hope they BOTH stay in the game!

Like this:

Last Wednesday night, I went to a speed dating event at K St Lounge hosted by Professionals in the City. [I had been to this lounge when South Asians for Obama (SAFO) had an event last year.] This event was also geared toward South Asians around my age, though there were 2 guys who were not South Asian. It was a pretty fun event, though I thought it could’ve been better.

First of all, there were TOO many people- 27 men and 30 women! It took more than 2 hours to talk w/ every guy. The time (4 mins) went by VERY quickly w/ few exceptions. When you go to events like this, there are bound to be 1 or 2 people who have ZERO interest in talking w/ you (not even to be polite). They will just hem and haw, not bothering to think up a topic to discuss. In my opinion, 4 mins is just TOO short. I think 7 mins would be better.

Second issue: quite a few people came w/ their friends to this event. Okay, maybe they wanted to feel comfortable going with a little group. Or they just have single pals. But the POINT of this event was to meet NEW people! The petite gal sitting next to me also came by herself, and I chatted a bit w/ her. She commented that most of her friends are getting married, not going out as much, and so on.

I didn’t have HUGE expectations going into this event. I arrived a BIT early and noticed that people were talking w/ their pals or just standing about. I wanted to go up and chat w/ some gals, but they didn’t come off as very friendly. Or maybe they were a little nervous? Okay, on to the guys!

The guys (expect perhaps 2 or 3) were Indian Hindus. One guy said he was 1/2 Bengali (mom’s side) after I mentioned I was Bangladeshi. As you may expect, most were American desis (born and raised in US). But I was surprised to see many immigrant and 1.5 gen guys (and gals) at this event. (At a similar event in NYC 2 years back, there were very few immigrant guys and no immigrant gals!)

All the guys were professionals (of course!); most work w/ the fed govt (IT contractor, IT manager, computer engineer). I think there was only 1 investment banker, 2 lawyers and 2 or 3 research scientists. A few of these guys impressed me, BUT I don’t think I clicked w/ any. Too bad! At least I took a chance.

You can check out the web site below if interested. This organization holds events in various cities.